80 Cart back from the dead!

I bought an 80 cart a while back that was in very rough condition. In my area you just don't see these carts that often so after talking with the PO on the phone as to the condition of the cart (tailgate? rear box bracing? missing parts?)I bought it over the phone only having seen a bad CL pic. Upon my arrival I found that the cart was in much worse shape than the owner described and was a bit angry I drove the 60 miles one way. I re-negotiated a price that was still to much considering the condition but drug it home anyway.
The rear bracing on the box was completely gone so I took the box over to a local welding shop a had them cut all the old bracing off and weld on new. I picked it up about a week later and was disappointed in the welding they had done. The box is now very strong but the welds were not pretty and the guy went nuts with the grinder. (I have to get a welder soon!)
While the welding shop "practiced" on my cart's box, I started on the tail gate.
Using a cut off wheel I cut the old tailgate apart to save only the back top panel to act as the new "hinge" for the new tailgate. I bought a nice piece of treadplate and began mocking up the new gate.
Every piece that I could fit in the large blasting cabinet at work was taken down to bare metal and coated with several coats of rust converter.
I am convinced that this cart must have seen some commercial use since some of the parts were totally worn out. I had to completely make a new latch bolt for the box and I made a striker plate since the hole for the bolt was completely elongated.
There are a lot of details that are just to much to write up but I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Even though the metal was heavily pitted in a lot of areas, this will be a worker cart so I am not concerned with it. Everything is very solid still so it should last me another 30 years. I am just happy to have saved another 80 cart from the grave. Adam

That's a fine looking cart. That top rail design is something I've never seen before. Simple, very strong and the easiest way to make a top swinging tailgate that I've seen. It's a very smart design and you have brought it back to be a very nice worker for you.

sgtrock1976, I bought these from Morrow Tire Supply which has an online store on that auction site. They are Deestone tires TWO New 4.00-8 Tri-rib 3 Rib Front Tires & Tubes 4 ply for $54. I think it is a great deal and these tires perform and look incredable. I run the same tire on my 317 and just love the tire. You can mount these tires on standard 8' wheels as long as you use tubes. Adam